New Delhi: Maharashtra government’s white paper on irrigation projects worth Rs 68,000 crore has given a clean chit to NCP leader Ajti Pawar, who headed the Water Resources Ministry in the state government for nine years. The paper also justified the expenses incurred over the past 10 years.

The paper, which claimed 28 percent rise in irrigation potential in Maharashtra in 10 years will be presented before the state Cabinet on Thursday. The irrigation potential has risen to 47.50 lakh hectares in 2010 from 37 lakh hectares in 2001, an increase of 28 per cent. The paper also stated that there has been a 5.17 percent rise in irrigated land during a decade’s time.

It said that there has been an increase of 70 TMC water provided to cities and industrial sector.

After approval by the state cabinet, it (white paper) will be tabled in the state legislature during the Winter Session starting at Nagpur from December 10.

Ajit Pawar, who was the irrigation minister from 1999 to 2008, resigned as Deputy Chief Minister in the wake of allegations of corruption in the irrigation projects during his stint in the ministry.